Aircraft design



May 10; 1927 J. L. MMVICAR AIRCRAFT DESIGN F iled June 24. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1,627,856 May 10, 1927- J; 1.. Ma VICAR v AIRCRAFT DESIGN Filed June 24, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /JZ../%Jfikar I 1,627,856 y 1927' J, L, MacVlCAR AIRCRAFT DESIGN Filed June 24. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 al tozueqo frame, made of aluminum alloy,

Patented May 10, 1927,

UNITED STATES James L. incvrcan, or rmwron'r NEWS, vmenua.

, AIRCRAFT DESIGN.

Application filed June 24, 1925. Serial Ito; 39,328.

This invention relates to improvements in the Construction, combination and arrangements of the elements comprising an air! craft, of the heavier than air type, consisting of a particularly strong, new and novel or' other suitable material, which will produce great structural strength with minimum of weight.

An object of this invention is to provide means whereb the action of the pulling propellers, an the energy produced in the forward motion will emphasize or enhance the energy produced in the lifting motion,v

and further, the arrangement of the propellers, being opposed inmotion, will develop.

great gyroscopic. energy,

contributing to great stability, when aided by rudders under the pilots control.

One of' the prime is to provide means objects. of this invention for taking advantageof the action of thrusted or rotated air, delivering forward motion, beingcentered, or banked by the counter action of thrust/ed or rotated air delivering upward motion.

Other'objects of this invent-ion will appear during the following detailed description,

and in the three sheets of drawings which are made a part ofthis application.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of the air craft,

Fig. 2 represents the air craft showing in the air stream lines.-

Fig. 3 illustrates an of the air craft.

Similar numerals in the different represent the same element.

Numeral 1 designates a suitable frame for the air craft, having novel features of strength in special] designed braces, and

a side elevation view of diagrammat c form end elevational view figures supporting pieces a apted to carry all the propellers, motors and mechanism of the aircraft, cylindrical tubes 2 are use'dfor the support-and enclosure of shafts 6 and 8 and gears 7 the tubular supports 2 being adapted to both plate brackets as at increase the'structural strength of the frame 1, and at the same time to reduce air resistance; these cylindrical supports 2 also function to carry the propellers 5 and 11, together with sultable ball thrust bearingsu Frame 1 comprises in part several 3 and. 4. These plates have comparatively large surfaces greatly -increasing the strength of the frame, and

and 3'. The driving gear for the pro 11ers 1s preferably arranged so that al a jacent propellers will rotate in the opposite direction. 'S u1table clutches or similar mechamsm is provided for. the. engagement or disengagement of both lifting or driving propellers to be operated fromthe pilot staion.

In addition to t e above, and subject to' the pilot control, this construction preferably provldes two sets of rudders 12 and .13. Rudder 12 provides means for the control, by the pilot of direction of the air craft and the other set 13 operates for stability. The

two rudders may be operated by wire or suitable controls from the pilots station. Sup-- 'ports 15 for rudder 12 and 13 will be properly braced by means of wires 16 and 17 and turn buckles or other suitable means.

The pilot station 14 is 'rovided between the two lateral'structural rames at a point p'lllich gives the greatest visibility and sta- The air craft is further preferably provided'with two pairs of-chassis 18 and-19 for-standing, takin off or landing. In case of water travel suitable .floats will be provided.

The arrangement of each group of rope'llers, rotating at the same time. an in opposite directions, approximately deflects air stream lines about as indicated by the arrows, as shown in Fig. 2.

The number of groups of propellers may I .motors 20 will be located in a manner to allow for a suitable foundation and flooring between the-central lateral frames.

This invention provides an especially provided with two i or more blades, and the .central motor or strong'and well constructed body or frame,

the novel features of which provides great structural strength, with a minimum heador air resistance, other than that contributing to the lifting energy.

This invention provides a combination of elements and arrangement of the driving and lifting propellers, regardless of the number employed, resulting in developing an air stream line approximately as disclosed in Fig. 2, whereby the energy resultant from the rapid rotation ofthe' forward thrust or pulling propellers 11, driving the aircraft in a forward movement, which forward movement and air stream line empha- Sizes the energy delivered by the lifting propellers, when rotated preferably, in the opposite direction. The forward movement of the air craft gives the entering edge of the forward propeller a new body ofair to attack, which is thrust back, and at the same time, the lifting propeller rotating in opposed action is pulling upwards, thrusting the discharged air downward, resulting in the downward thrust air being banked on top of the backward thrust air-discharged from the forward propeller, which action intensifies the lifting energy of the lifting propellers.

The rudders 12 and 13, as disclosed in Fig. 1, provide means for controlling from the pilots station the direction of the air craft in its forward motion, also for main-- taining the air craft on an even or level keel. This provision is necessary, and suitably provided herein, in order to give the pilot not only control of navigation from one point or place to a distant one, but also to provide against the advent of encountering air pocket or pockets en route.

In this invention any suitable means may beadapted for the transmission of power fromthe power plant or motor, provided that the action of thrusted or rotated air is brought about, delivering forward motion. being countered or banked by the counter action of thrusted or rotated air delivering upward motion, both actions being necessary for the successful operation of air craft of heavier than air design, other than the lifting plane? type of old and common design, which latter principle is in no way involved in this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an aircraft, a central power plant, driving and lifting propellers, arranged for intensifying the lifting air stream lines delivered by the lifting propellers, and where-v by the entering edge of the driving propeller is provided with anew body of air 6 consisting of the forward driving movement, the air to attack being thrust back and at the same time the lifting propeller being rotated upwards thereby thrusting the air stream downward and resulting in the 6 downward thrust air stream being banked on top of the air stream from the driving propellers, resulting in greatly intensifying the lifting power of the lifting propellers, suitable propeller shafts, and frame for 7 carrying the power plant propeller and various aircraft appliances, plate brackets having large surfaces for increasing the strength of the frame, and at the same time tending to maintain stability for steerage 7 means for supporting and enclosing the propeller shaft consisting of cylindrical tubular members, additional means for strengthening the frame consisting of curved or arched member portions connecting with the tubu- 8 lar supports.

2. An aircraft, comprising a pair of vertical stream lined frames, cross members connecting said frames and holding them spaced apart and parallel to each other,

driving and lifting propellers at each end of each frame, means for driving said propellers, each driving propeller being rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the propeller at the same end 9 of the opposite frame, and each lifting propeller being rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the driving propeller adjacent to it on the same frame, the driving and lifting propellers being 9 arranged on they frames sufliciently close to each other to cause the air streams induced by their rotations to impingeon each other and thereby intensify 'the lifting efl'ect of the propellers, each of said frames includ- 1 ing vertical stiffening plates of large surface and extending below the cross members to form stabilizing heels, and landing gear connectedvto the bottom of each frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. JAMES L. MAoVICAR. 

